Mark DeRosa | Second Baseman

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Mark DeRosa is retiring from baseball.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos made that announcement on Tuesday. Toronto exercised a $750,000 option on DeRosa in late October, but the 38-year-old utilityman has now decided to hang up his cleats for good. He hit .268/.340/.412 over the course of a 16-year major league career. The Penn-educated DeRosa is an exceptional broadcasting talent and will likely receive job offers from numerous networks. Tue, Nov 12, 2013 04:27:00 PM

DeRosa previously indicated that he might retire, though this would seem to indicate that he'll return. The 38-year-old was a nice part-time player for the Jays this season, batting .267/.368/.443 with five homers in 155 plate appearances against left-handed pitching. Thu, Oct 31, 2013 07:54:00 PM

The Blue Jays have a $750,000 club option on DeRosa, which they're expected to exercise, but only if the 38-year-old chooses to continue his career. DeRosa has been useful off the bench for the Jays, batting .254/.357/.441 against lefties. "To be honest with you, this season has been fun, it's been a grind. … But I really just want to get away for a minute, reestablish myself as a husband and father, and then kind of decide whether I want to keep going," DeRosa said. "Obviously, they have much bigger fish to fry than me, and I understand that. Once I hear what direction they kind of want to go with, then it's a decision to be made by me and my wife." Wed, Sep 18, 2013 08:34:00 PM

DeRosa was claimed off waivers Wednesday, but the Jays hold an inexpensive $750,000 on him for 2014 and are very likely to exercise it. The 38-year-old utilityman is batting .231/.320/.449 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in 169 plate appearances this season for Toronto. Thu, Aug 8, 2013 09:11:00 AM

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DeRosa previously indicated that he might retire, though this would seem to indicate that he'll return. The 38-year-old was a nice part-time player for the Jays this season, batting .267/.368/.443 with five homers in 155 plate appearances against left-handed pitching.

The Blue Jays have a $750,000 club option on DeRosa, which they're expected to exercise, but only if the 38-year-old chooses to continue his career. DeRosa has been useful off the bench for the Jays, batting .254/.357/.441 against lefties. "To be honest with you, this season has been fun, it's been a grind. … But I really just want to get away for a minute, reestablish myself as a husband and father, and then kind of decide whether I want to keep going," DeRosa said. "Obviously, they have much bigger fish to fry than me, and I understand that. Once I hear what direction they kind of want to go with, then it's a decision to be made by me and my wife."

DeRosa was claimed off waivers Wednesday, but the Jays hold an inexpensive $750,000 on him for 2014 and are very likely to exercise it. The 38-year-old utilityman is batting .231/.320/.449 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in 169 plate appearances this season for Toronto.

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Mark DeRosa has been claimed off waivers.

The identity of the claiming team is not yet known. Toronto has until Thursday to work out a swap, let the claiming team have him outright, or pull DeRosa back. The veteran is batting .231 with a .769 OPS and seven home runs over 147 at-bats. He's owed roughly $230,000 for rest of season.

Mark DeRosa homered in the bottom of the 11th Sunday as the Blue Jays beat the Padres 7-4.

DeRosa's solo homer broke the tie in the 11th, and the Jays went on to score a couple of more runs afterwards. DeRosa also singled in his two at-bats off the bench tonight. He's probably not physically capable of receiving much more playing time than he's getting, but he's been quite an asset in a limited role, driving in 19 runs in just 73 at-bats.

An interesting choice, as this will be just his ninth career start out of the cleanup spot and his first since 2011. Still, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons likes him there with southpaw Barry Zito on the hill for San Francisco.

Mark DeRosa came off the bench to hit his second homer in two days Monday versus the Rays.

DeRosa has three homers in 40 at-bats this year after hitting a total of one in three injury-filled seasons from 2010-12. The Blue Jays aren't likely to suddenly start playing him regularly -- his body can't handle it anyway -- but they'll probably look for more ways to start squeezing him in. It's not like Adam Lind is doing much of anything as a DH.

The deal includes a club option for 2014. It's surprising to see DeRosa get a guaranteed contract, as the 37-year-old was bothered by injuries again last year and batted just .188 with zero homers in 101 plate appearances. Assuming he can stay off the disabled list, he'll function as a utility player in Toronto.

The Marlins are interested in Mark DeRosa, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

DeRosa told reporters back in mid-October that he was considering retirement, but he has apparently changed his mind. The 37-year-old was limited to 48 games in 2012 with the Nationals because of injuries. He would presumably serve as a utilityman for the Marlins.

DeRosa was limited to 48 games due to injuries and hasn't been given any indication that the Nationals will bring him back. At this stage, DeRosa won't be given a guaranteed contract, but he could look to compete for a roster spot next season as a spring training invite.

Depth Charts

The operation was expected and Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins confirmed that it took place. The surgery was expected to be an arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage. Travis will be 100 percent for the beginning of spring training, barring any setbacks.

Pillar tore a thumb ligament in early August on a successful steal attempt. He returned a month later and played with the injury down the stretch. Pillar has already begun rehabbing and should be ready in plenty of time for spring training. The 27-year-old hit .266 with seven homers, 53 RBI, 35 doubles and 14 steals over 146 games this season.